Brazilian football www.inglesvip.xpg.com.br

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1. Brazil is the most successful team in World Cup history.   Football is the prominent sport in Brazil. The National Team has won the FIFA World Cup tournament a record five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002 and is the only team to have never missed a World Cup participation, and to be among the favorites to win the trophy every time the competition is scheduled.

2. Pelé, one of the most recognized footballers in history, led Brazil to two of those championships and is the top scorer of all time in the sport. The contemporary talents in the football world include Robinho, Elano, Marta, Ronaldinho, Kaká. Some of these players can be considered super-stars, achieving celebrity status internationally and signing sports contracts, as well as advertisement contracts, in the value of millions of euros.

3. In the 1870s an expatriate named John Miller worked on the railway construction project in São Paulo together with some 3000 other immigrant families from the British Isles. In 1884 Miller sent his ten year old son Charles William Miller to Bannisters school in Southampton, England to be educated. Charles was a skilled athlete and, as a winger and striker Charles entered into the Southampton Club team and later into the County team of Hampshire.

4. In 1888, the first sports club was founded in the city, São Paulo Athletic Club. In 1892 while still in England, Charles was invited to play a game for the Corinthians, a team formed of players invited from public schools and universities.

5. On his return to Brazil Charles brought some football equipment and a rules book with him. He then developed the new rules of the game amongst the community in São Paulo. São Paulo Athletic Club won the first three years championships. Miller's skills were far above his colleagues .

6.  Miller kept a strong bond with English football throughout his life. Teams from Southampton and Corinthians Club travelled to Brazil to play against São Paulo Athletic Club and other teams in São Paulo. After a tour of Corinthians to Brazil in 1910 a new team in Brazil took on the name of Corinthians after a suggestion from Miller.

7. The Brazilian Football Confederation was founded in 1914. Football quickly became a passion for Brazilians, who often refer to their country as "the country of football". Over 10,000 Brazilians play professionally all over the world.

8. Football has a major effect on Brazilian culture. It is the favorite pastime of youngsters playing football on streets. The World Cup draws Brazilians together, with people skipping work to view the national team play, or employers setting up apparatus for employees to watch.

9. The general elections are usually held in the same year as the World Cup, and critics argue that political parties try to take advantage of the nationalistic surge created by football and bring it into politics. Former footballers are often elected to legislative positions.

10. In Brazilian National Championship there is only 20 teams, the elite group. Which play one of the most disputed and balanced football championships in the world. That championship is a showcase for European teams which, every year, takes talents to their leagues.

11. Brazilian football is a reflection of the country's multiracial society. Brazil's unique style is characterised by much creativity and swing . It is believed that this unique style was developed in the low income areas largely populated by people of African descent.

12. The great "foot ability" that the players had could be related to the physical coordination and rhythm associated with the capoeira, Brazilian martial arts, and samba which are characterized by footsteps to dance or to play under the rhythm of African drums. Brazilian football is known for its trickery, fast flowing and  attacking style of play.

13. For anyone that follows soccer, it is evident that the Brazilians play differently. The incredible dribbling ability of Brazilian players in addition to their superb body control are only two of the elements which sets them apart. The Brazilian football player, perhaps most importantly, is creative. The Brazilian player does the unexpected through a move, a pass, or a surprise shot on goal.

14. Brazilians play carefree and happy. “When you think of Brazil you think of samba, smiling, and dancing. The way in which Brazilians play soccer is a direct reflection of how Brazilians live their lives.. 

Vocabulary

1. achieving = alcançando
2. advertisement = publicidade
3. among = entre
4. amongst = entre (among)
5. anyone = qualquer um
6. argue = argumentam
7. as well as = assim como
8. balanced = equilibrado
9. became = tornou-se
10. bond = vínculo
11. British Isles = Ilhas Britânicas
12. brought = trouxe
13. carefree = despreocupado
14. championships =campeonatos
15. characterised by = caracterizado por
16. colleagues = colegas, companheiros
17. contemporary = contemporaneous
18. developed = desenvolveu
19. draws Brazilians together = une os Brasileiros
20. drums = tambores
21. every time = todas as vezes
22. expatriate = exilado
23. far above = muito acima de
24. five times = cinco vezes
25. follows = acompanha
26. footsteps = passos
27. Former = “ex”, antigo
28. held = realizado(a)
29. in addition to = além de
30. It is believed that = acredita-se que
31. kept = manteve
32. led = levou, conduziu
33. low income = de baixa renda
34. missed = perdeu
35. nationalistic surge = onda nacionalísta
36. set them apart = os distingue
37. parties = partidos
38. pastime = passatempo
39. perhaps talvez
40. players = jogadores
41. prominent = importante
42. railway = ferroviário
43. recognized = reconhecido
44. refer to = referir-se a
45. rules = regras
46. sent = enviou
47. setting up = instalando
48. shot = tiro (chute)
49. showcase = vitrine
50. signing = assinando
51. skilled = habilidoso
52. skipping work = faltando ao trabalho
53. soccer = futebol (USA)
54. striker = atacante
55. superb = maravilhoso, excelente
56. swing = ginga
57. take advantage = tirar proveito
58. the most successful = o mais bem sucedido
59. The way in which = a forma na qual
60. through = através
61. throughout = por todo(a)
62. together with = junto com
63. top scorer = artilheiro
64. trickery = malandragem
65. unexpected = inesperado
66. winger = lateral
67. won = venceu
68. World Cup = copa do mundo
69.  youngsters = jovens